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Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Improve the Levels of Nutrition and Physical Exercise Knowledge Among Primary School Learners in Tshwane, South Africa: A Quasi-Experimental Study

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  • Morentho Cornelia Phetla

    (Department of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Linda Skaal

    (Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

The prevalence of childhood obesity in South Africa necessitates the design and implementation of interventions to improve the levels of physical activity and nutrition among school-age children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a brief intervention to improve knowledge regarding exercise and nutrition among primary school learners in Tshwane, South Africa, using a quasi-experimental single-group, pre–post-test design. A total of 86 primary school learners from two primary schools participated in the intervention, which was guided by the Analysis Grid for Obesity-Linked Environments (ANGELO). Descriptive statistics were analysed using the frequency distribution while inferential statistics used the t -test to compare the means of nutrition and exercise knowledge pre- and post-intervention. All primary school learners were able to access the nutrition and exercise information. The mean nutrition knowledge (pre- and post-test) was 0.914 and the mean exercise knowledge (pre- and post-test) was 0.8464. The primary school learners’ levels of knowledge on diet and physical exercise were improved by the brief intervention. It is recommended that this initiative be supported, continued, and duplicated in schools throughout Tshwane.

Suggested Citation

  • Morentho Cornelia Phetla & Linda Skaal, 2024. "Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Improve the Levels of Nutrition and Physical Exercise Knowledge Among Primary School Learners in Tshwane, South Africa: A Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:12:p:1592-:d:1533204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Morentho Cornelia Phetla & Linda Skaal, 2023. "Scanning for Obesogenicity of Primary School Environments in Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Katherine L Rosettie & Renata Micha & Frederick Cudhea & Jose L Peñalvo & Martin O’Flaherty & Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard & Christina D Economos & Laurie P Whitsel & Dariush Mozaffarian, 2018. "Comparative risk assessment of school food environment policies and childhood diets, childhood obesity, and future cardiometabolic mortality in the United States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Laar, Amos & Barnes, Amy & Aryeetey, Richmond & Tandoh, Akua & Bash, Kristin & Mensah, Kobby & Zotor, Francis & Vandevijvere, Stefanie & Holdsworth, Michelle, 2020. "Implementation of healthy food environment policies to prevent nutrition-related non-communicable diseases in Ghana: National experts’ assessment of government action," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
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